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EnglishCharging the vehicle for your BMW i8 2014-2020
Charging the vehicle
MOBILITY
Charging the vehicle
Level 1 charging is possible via a household
socket with a voltage of 120 volts.
Vehicle features and options
For optimal use of the energy from the power
grid, charging at a Level 2 charging station, such
as BMW i Wallbox, is recommended.
This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐
cific and optional features offered with the series.
It also describes features that are not necessarily
available in your vehicle, for instance, due to the
selected options or country versions. This also
applies to safety-related functions and systems.
When using these functions and systems, the
applicable laws and regulations must be ob‐
served.
Charge current
General information
The charge current strength is indicated in am‐
peres.
The vehicle cannot automatically detect the max‐
imum permissible charge current strength of the
power grid during charging via a household
socket or charging station.
Concept
The vehicle can be charged using various charg‐
ing cables at charging stations or household
sockets. Control and monitoring of the charging
process are handled completely automatically.
The charge current strength can be set via
iDrive.
Level 1 charging
Prior to the first Level 1 charging at your own
household socket, or at other household sock‐
ets, the permitted charge current strength must
be determined by a qualified electrician, for ex‐
ample.
General information
The charge current strength for Level 1 charg‐
ing, refer to page 198, can be adjusted in the ve‐
hicle in three levels.
High-voltage battery
At delivery, the charge current for Level 1 charg‐
ing is set to the lowest level.
The high-voltage battery is used as an energy
accumulator. The high-voltage battery can be
charged by energy recovery during the trip or via
the power grid.
Depending on the country-specific version, one
of several ampere ratings is printed on the
Level 1 charging cable. This ampere rating is the
limit which must be adhered to for the vehicle if
the charge current is set to the highest level. De‐
pending on the charging cable, the charge cur‐
rent strength may vary when lower levels are set.
In order to operate the high-voltage battery opti‐
mally, charge the vehicle regularly and fully using
a compatible charger.
When charging via the power grid, you can chose
between the following variants.
▷ Level 1 charging via a household socket.
▷ Level 2 charging via a Level 2 charging sta‐
tion.
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Overview
Imprint on the charging cable
Charge current setting
"Max."
6 A
"Reduced"
6 A
"Low"
6 A
6 A
8 A
8 A
6 A
6 A
10 A
12 A
15 A
10 A
12 A
15 A
7.5 A
9 A
6 A
6 A
11.25 A
7.5 A
Depending on the charge current, the charging
duration changes.
The manufacturer of your vehicle recommends
that, prior to your first use of a charging loca‐
tion, you have the compatibility of the following
components confirmed:
Maintaining charge state
▷ Charging cable.
The current charge state of the high-voltage bat‐
tery can be maintained or increased with the
Maintain charge state, refer to page 96, function.
The charge state is maintained and the electric
range is conserved for a later point in the trip.
▷ Charging station.
▷ Household socket and connected circuits.
Warning
Damaged or worn charging devices, for in‐
stance worn contacts, can heat up. There is a
risk of fire. Only use charging devices that are
in good condition.
Safety information
Warning
Improper working with electrical current can
lead to an electric shock due to high voltages or
high currents. There is a risk of fire or danger to
life. Observe the general safety regulations
when working with electrical current.
Warning
Simultaneous charging and refueling poses a
risk of fire if a sufficient safety distance from
easily flammable materials is not maintained.
There is a risk of injury or risk of damage to
property. Do not fill the vehicle with fuel and
charge it simultaneously.
Warning
A faulty and incorrectly designed charging de‐
vice at the charging location can cause damage
to the vehicle and overload the power mains at
the charging location. There is a risk of fire and
a risk of injury.
Warning
Contact with live components can lead to an
electric shock. High voltage is present at the
charging connection. There is a risk of injury or
danger to life.
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Charging the vehicle
MOBILITY
Have work on the charging connection, for in‐
stance cleaning, performed by an authorized
BMW i dealer's service center or another quali‐
fied service center or repair shop.
Level 1 charging cable
Depending on the country version, the vehicle is
supplied with a Level 1 charging cable.
Level 1 charging cables can be used to charge
the vehicle from grounded household sockets.
Charging at household socket connections is
performed with alternating current.
Charging cable
When a Level 1 charging cable is used, the effi‐
ciency values may differ from those stated on the
energy label.
General information
Use a Level 1 charging cable, Level 2 charging
cable or the permanently installed charging cable
of a charging station to charge the vehicle.
Level 2 charging cable
The Level 2 charging cable makes it possible to
quickly recharge at sockets of designated
Level 2 charging stations using a special plug.
Charging is performed with alternating current at
designated Level 2 charging stations. The charg‐
ing process can be completed faster than at
household sockets.
Different charging cables can be required de‐
pending on the country.
Safety information
Warning
The charging cable may be permanently installed
at the charging station.
Non-compatible charging cables or unsuitable
charging stations can heat up and cause dam‐
age to the vehicle. There is a risk of fire. Use
charging cables or charging stations for charg‐
ing that are suitable for the respective vehicle
type.
Storage
The Level 1 charging cable is located in the sep‐
arate area on the right-hand side of the cargo
area.
A dealer's service center will be glad to provide
information about suitable charging cables.
The Level 2 charging cable can be stored in the
same place.
If required, store the charging cable with the in‐
stalled plug cover to prevent moisture in the
charging cable plug.
Warning
Improper use of the charging cable can prevent
charging and lead to damage, for instance ca‐
ble fire. There is a risk of fire. Use the charging
cable only for charging the vehicle, and do not
extend it using cables or adapters.
Connecting
Charging socket flap
The charging socket flap is located on the left
side of the vehicle.
Warning
Always keep charging socket clean and unob‐
structed.
Damaged charging cables can heat up or lead
to an electric shock. There is a risk of fire or a
risk of injury. Use undamaged charging cables
only.
Keep the charging socket flap closed when the
charging socket is not used.
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MOBILITY
Charging process is interrupted.
Connecting the charging cable
To connect, engage selector lever position P,
deactivate drive-ready state, and unlock the vehi‐
cle. Set the parking brake, if needed.
1. Tap on the charging socket flap, arrow.
3. Remove the charging cable from the charg‐
ing socket, arrow 2.
4. Press on the charging socket flap until it en‐
gages.
5. Attach cover of the charging cable plug, if
needed.
2. Remove the cover of the charging cable plug,
if needed.
6. Disconnect Level 1 charging cable from the
household socket or Level 2 charging cable
from the port on the charging station as appli‐
cable.
3. Connect Level 1 charging cable to the
household socket or Level 2 charging cable
to the port on the charging station.
4. Insert the appropriate charging cable plug,
and push it in until it engages.
7. Stow the charging cable.
At a charging station, insert the permanently
installed charging cable in the place provided
for it.
When charging at a charging station, follow the
instructions at the charging station.
Removing
Electrical unlocking of the charging
cable
When the charging process is active and the ve‐
hicle is locked, the charging cable is automati‐
cally locked. Unlock the vehicle before removing
the cable.
Concept
In the following situations, the charging cable can
be unlocked and removed electronically:
When the charging process is completed, the
charging cable is automatically unlocked.
▷ When the vehicle is locked.
If necessary, clean the area between the charg‐
ing socket flap and charging socket, for instance
from snow, before removing it.
▷ When a charging station is defective.
Unlocking
Via iDrive:
1. Unlock the vehicle with the vehicle key if it is
locked.
Charging cable is unlocked.
1. "My Vehicle"
2. Press the release button on the handle, ar‐
row 1, and grasp the charging cable at the
gripping areas.
2. "Plan charging/climate control"
3. "Settings charging current"
4. "Unlock charging cable"
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rupt the charging process. Charging will resume
automatically.
Manual release
The charging process may take longer under ex‐
tremely low or high temperatures.
Emergency unlocking
In case of an electrical malfunction, the charging
cable can be manually unlocked.
Safety information
When charging at a charging station, complete
the charging process at the charging station be‐
fore unlocking the charging cable.
Warning
Improper use of the power mains connection
can lead to damage, for instance cable fire.
There is a risk of injury or risk of damage to
property. Use the charging cable only for charg‐
ing the vehicle, and do not extend it using ca‐
bles or adapters.
1. Open the door on the side of the charging
socket flap.
2. Open the cover, arrow 1.
Pull the knob, arrow 2.
The charging cable is manually unlocked.
Warning
If the charge current strength is adjusted incor‐
rectly, the power mains of the household
socket can be overloaded and overheat. There
is a risk of fire. Adjust the charge current
strength to the power mains prior to charging
on household sockets. With unknown power
networks, set on the lowest level.
3. For removing the charging cable, refer to
page 195.
Starting the charging process
1. Engage selector lever position P. Set the
parking brake, if needed.
Have the locking system of the charging socket
checked at the dealer’s service center or another
qualified service center or repair shop after emer‐
gency unlocking of the charging cable.
2. For planning the charging process, refer to
page 197.
3. Switch off drive-ready state.
Charging process
4. Connect Level 1 charging cable to the
household socket or Level 2 charging cable
to the port on the charging station.
General information
At high temperatures, the high-voltage battery is
initially cooled. There may be a delay before
charging starts. If the high-voltage battery is dis‐
charged, cooling of the high-voltage battery may
not be possible. The charging process cannot be
started.
5. Open the charging socket flap.
6. Connect the charging cable to the vehicle, re‐
fer to page 194.
7. Lock vehicle if it is unlocked.
If the Level 1 charging cable is exposed to high
temperatures and direct sunlight, this may inter‐
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MOBILITY
Charging status display
Planning the charging process
Indicator light on the charging socket
General information
The charging process can be adapted to con‐
straints, for instance the cost of electricity. The
vehicle can control the charging process in such
a way that the charging process is completed at
the departure time. A departure time must be set
for this purpose, refer to page 199.
The following settings are available:
▷ Immediate charging.
▷ Set time window for favorable charging.
▷ Set charging via a Level 1 charging cable.
An indicator light is located on the charging
socket.
If drive-ready state is switched off, changes can
be made via iDrive. The departure time change is
a one-off change. Scheduled departure times are
not adjusted. Settings for the stationary climate
control and charging process are also accepted
for planned departure times.
Charging status
Light
Charging status
White
Charging cable can be con‐
nected or removed.
Setting the charging mode
Via iDrive:
Flashes yel‐ Charging process is being pre‐
low
pared.
1. "My Vehicle"
Blue
Charging process paused.
2. "Plan charging/climate control"
3. Select the desired setting:
Flashes blue Charging process is active.
Flashes red Fault in the charging process.
▷ "Charge immediately": the charging proc‐
ess starts as soon as the charging cable is
connected.
Green
Charging process is completed.
▷ "Charge for departure time": if a departure
time is set, a time window for charging
with a favorable electricity rate can be set.
When the vehicle is locked, the indicator light
goes out after some time.
When the vehicle is unlocked, the blue indicator
light flashes continuously. The other indicator
lights go out after some time.
Setting the time window for favorable-
rate
Via iDrive:
Press the button on the vehicle key to check
the charging state. The charging status is indi‐
cated on the indicator light. In some cases the
vehicle is locked.
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "Plan charging/climate control"
3. "Set low cost time slot"
4. Set rate begin.
Additional messages about the charging status
can be displayed in the instrument cluster, on the
BMW display key, or via the BMW Con‐
nected app on a smartphone.
5. Set rate end.
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The Digital Charging Service enables the time
window to be set automatically for certain loca‐
tions. Further information about the Digital
Charging Service is available on the Internet:
charging process is automatically continued after
the interruption.
Terminating the charging process
1. Disconnect the charging cable from the vehi‐
cle, refer to page 195.
The vehicle can also start the charging process
before the selected time window begins or end it
after the selected time window finishes. The
starting point of the charging process is adjusted
so the vehicle can be as fully charged as possible
and, if applicable, its climate adjusted by the de‐
parture time.
2. Stow the charging cable as required.
3. Press on the charging socket flap until it en‐
gages.
4. Lock vehicle if it is unlocked.
Intelligent charging
Concept
Setting the charge current for charging
via a Level 1 charging cable
Intelligent charging can adapt the charging proc‐
ess dynamically via the Internet to the environ‐
mental conditions, such as the availability of solar
power or time-variable electricity rates. Intelligent
charging is part of BMW's Digital Charging Serv‐
ice.
Depending on the electrical mains, the vehicle
must be charged with a different charge current
strength, refer to page 192.
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "Plan charging/climate control"
3. "Settings charging current"
4. "Level 1 (120V)"
Further information about the Digital Charging
Service is available on the Internet:
Settings are stored. When you change charging
locations you also might need to change the set‐
ting for charging.
General information
Intelligent charging does not display an end of
charge time in the instrument cluster.
Set the charge current strength at other house‐
hold sockets to the lowest level.
If drive-ready state is switched off, changes can
be made via iDrive.
Intelligent charging can be ignored for the next
charging process.
Stopping the charging process
The charging process can be stopped at any
time by removing the charging cable and contin‐
ued at a later time by connecting the charging
cable. This enables other consumers to use the
power connection or prevents simultaneous high
power from multiple consumers, for example.
1. Switch off drive-ready state.
2. "Charge immediately once"
Functional requirements
▷ Account on the BMW charging portal.
For removing the charging cable, refer to
page 195.
▷ A subscription to the intelligent charging
service has been obtained.
▷ Suitable Wallbox.
Continuing the charging process
▷ Departure time set, refer to page 199.
If the charging process is interrupted, for in‐
stance through a temporary power failure, the
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Display Meaning
MOBILITY
▷ Charge current strength setting to highest
level, refer to page 198.
Charging progress bar.
Configuring the BMW charging service
Use one of the following to configure the
BMW charging service:
Indicator in blue: charged electrical
range.
▷ BMW remote app on the smartphone.
▷ BMW charging portal in the Internet.
Indicator in white: maximum electrical
range.
Activating intelligent charging
Via iDrive:
Charging cable connected.
White clock: departure time set.
1. "My Vehicle"
White connector: charging procedure
is starting or interrupted.
2. "Plan charging/climate control"
3. "Low-cost charging for departure"
4. "Intelligent charging"
Blue plug: charging process active or
completed.
Climate control activated at departure
time.
Displays in the instrument
cluster
Flashing: ventilation active.
Flashing: heating active.
Flashing: cooling active.
The charge state indicator light shows the
charge state of the high-voltage battery in the in‐
strument cluster, if standby state is switched on.
If all bars are filled, the high-voltage battery is
fully charged.
Even if no bars are filled, the high-voltage system
is still under high voltage.
Information regarding the charging process is
shown on the charging screen.
Departure time
Display Meaning
Concept
Blue plug: charging process active or
completed.
For optimum range and climate control, the de‐
parture time can be set before parking the vehi‐
cle.
White plug: charging process inter‐
rupted.
Running light: animated with active
charging process.
General information
With a set departure time, the vehicle is pre‐
heated or precooled during the charging process
if climate control is set. Climate control output is
reduced during the trip. This increases the range
during electric driving.
End of charging time or set departure
time.
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The following settings are possible for departure
time:
Climate control
▷ Climate control for departure time.
▷ Planning a one-time departure time.
General information
The following settings for vehicle air conditioning
are possible:
▷ Planning of up to three regular departure
times per day of the week.
▷ Activate stationary climate control immedi‐
ately, refer to page 169.
If drive-ready state is switched off, changes can
be made via iDrive. The departure time change is
a one-off change. Scheduled departure times are
not adjusted. Settings for climate control and
charging process are also applied for scheduled
departure times.
The range is reduced if stationary climate
control is activated without a charging cable
connected.
▷ Planned climate control at the set departure
time, refer to page 170.
If a Mode 2 charging cable is used, the high-
voltage battery may not be fully charged at
departure time.
Climate control for departure time
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "Plan charging/climate control"
3. "Precondition for departure"
Discharged high-voltage and
vehicle battery
Setting the departure time
Via iDrive:
General information
In addition to the high-voltage battery, the vehi‐
cle has a 12 volt vehicle battery, which is re‐
quired for operation of the onboard electronics.
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "Plan charging/climate control"
3. "Set departure time"
If the high-voltage battery and the vehicle battery
are discharged, it is not possible to operate the
vehicle.
4. Set the desired days of the week, if needed.
5. Set the desired time.
Have the vehicle checked and returned to opera‐
tion by a dealer’s service center or another quali‐
fied service center or repair shop.
Up to three departure times can be set.
Activating the departure time
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "Plan charging/climate control"
3. "Set departure time"
Set departure times are displayed.
4. For example activate "Departure time 1".
Up to three departure times can be activated.
The set departure time will be deactivated, if the
departure time was ignored three times in a row.
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